When Lynn Katoa arrived in Boulder in 2008, he was a talented high school recruit listed by many scouting websites as one of the top linebackers in the nation.

Now, after numerous run-ins with police, Katoa finds himself on a different kind of list: Boulder's most wanted.

Boulder police have now been looking for the former University of Colorado prospect for more than a year after police say he punched several people in the face -- including a woman -- during an incident in January 2011.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for Katoa on suspicion of two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, criminal mischief and false reporting in connection with the incident, according to Kim Kobel, a spokeswoman for the Boulder Police Department. He is also wanted for probation violation.

Kobel said police reports show at around 3:20 a.m. Jan. 9, 2011, a group of friends were at a residence in the 900 block of Broadway when they heard a man yelling outside about his lost phone. One of the men in the residence went outside to try to help him but came back in, unable to find the phone.

A short while later, those in the residence said several objects were thrown at their window, breaking the glass. The group then went outside to see who had thrown the objects.

According to the report, when the group encountered the suspect, witnesses said he was "acting crazy," and "flipped out."

The suspect then punched a woman in the jaw and began fighting with several of the other people in the group, then fled the scene. Kobel said several of the people suffered broken noses and others suffered bruises and cuts.

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A bag left at the scene contained official documents belonging to Katoa, and the description given by the victims also matched Katoa, police said.

Kobel said the violent nature of the crime, as well as Katoa's extensive criminal history -- which spans three states -- warranted a place on Boulder's Most Wanted.

"This was a very violent attack," Kobel said. "Based on the history of his actions and this case, we believe he is a threat to any community where he is living. We would like to get him off the streets."

Lynn Katoa

Four years ago, Katoa was a five-star recruit for CU, but he never saw the field. Just two months after he arrived on the campus, Katoa was arrested for breaking into an apartment, sending one man's head through a wall and hitting another in the head with a rock, which he then tossed through a window.

Katoa pleaded guilty to felony menacing and was given a deferred sentence, meaning if he stayed out of trouble for three years, the arrest would have been wiped off his record.

But Katoa failed to show up for a hearing and also did not attend required substance abuse monitoring and treatment, and he was sentenced to six months of work release and three years' probation for violating the terms of his deferred sentence.

Then in July 2009, Katoa was arrested again, this time for head-butting a teammate outside of a bar in Boulder. He was sentenced to six months in jail for the assault.

Kobel said investigators believe Katoa is no longer in Colorado. He has family in Utah as well as possible connections in California, Texas and Florida. But she is hoping that putting Katoa on the most-wanted list -- which she started last year -- will help generate some tips as to where he might be.

"Hopefully this will get word out, and sometimes we get lucky," she said. "A lot of cases are solved from tips."

Lynn Katoa
(
Al Hartmann
)

Kobel said she hopes to start expanding the most-wanted list to include composite sketches. She cited the recent Kevin McGregor murder conviction as an example of how getting photos and composite sketches out to the public can help solve crimes. McGregor was arrested in the shooting of Todd Walker on University Hill after a composite sketch generated numerous calls.

"We follow up on every single tip we get," Kobel said. "They do matter, they do help, and we do appreciate them."

Anyone with information on Katoa's whereabouts can call Detective Brannon Winn at 303-441-4477. To remain anonymous, call 800-222-TIPS or go to crimeshurt.com.

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